When I sit with potential clients, they always reference who they want to be.
I immediately think… why? Sometimes out loud.
Google didn’t want to be Yahoo. Apple wasn’t striving to be another Microsoft.
And Tesla doesn’t seem to be doing things the “GM way.”
The greats don’t start by wanting to be like someone else. They do not seek a piece of the pie that already exists.
Be different. Blaze a trail others will want to follow.
It’s scary to go first but being first can pay dividends.Subscribe to Biz Crusader by Email

All businesses are started with a sense of optimism defined by projections and what could happen. In essence, we all made decisions on what we could build or make. There were no guarantees.
I don’t know of any successful businesses that were started based on what it costs.
Why then do we make the big business decisions based on what it costs instead of what it could bring?
Sensible pragmatism is not the same thing as entrepreneurial optimism.

Recently, I took my family of four to a popular neighborhood restaurant.
The place was about half full. The host/waiter escorted us to a small corner table. I asked if we can sit at one of the empty larger booths.
The waiter asked the manager who promptly said no. The manager went on to explain that the booths were only for larger parties. Normally, I would engage at this point but I was so tired after a long day, we just accepted the small table.
Our dinner experience lasted for about an hour and a half.
And… giving me cause to write this piece, the booth we wanted to sit at was empty the entire time. I guess the phantom customers never arrived. The nonexistent customers were of higher value to the manager than us paying customers.
I would like to think that this scenario is not familiar to you and that something like this has never happened to you. Unfortunately, I know that’s not true.
In business, it’s important to take care of the customers you have instead of the phantom customers you are expecting.
Fleeting are the customers who are mistreated by you and courted by your competitors.

This one is worth sharing. A remarkable child reminds us all what’s important. Enjoy.

On July 23, 2011, nine-year-old Rachel Beckwith was killed in a tragic car accident on highway I-90 near Seattle, Washington. After her death, thousands of people all around the world started donating to her mycharity: water fundraising page, and over the course of a month, raised over $1.2 million in Rachel’s honor. That money is now helping 60,000 people get access to clean water.

It’s been exactly a year since the accident. In honor of the anniversary, Rachel’s mom, Samantha, and her grandparents, Richard and Roseanne, visit Ethiopia with charity: water and meet some of the people Rachel helped. We’ve documented the entire day on video so we can share it with all of you.

Steve Jobs died today.
I did not know him. I’ve never met him.
And yet, I find myself profoundly sad about his death. It’s hard to find the words. There’s too much to say. I know many will try.
I am just one of billions he has made an impression on through his innovation and technology.
He changed my life for the better. As a businessman, I can’t thank him enough.
Rest in peace Mr. Jobs. You did well in your short 56 years.
Thank you!